Wilshire Avenue Church: Recent Episodes
Wilshire Avenue Community Church
Jesus often meets us in the places of our greatest disappointment—not simply to change our circumstances, but to transform our hearts into faithful disciples.
The apostle Paul stressed the importance of wearing our spiritual armor, but what often gets overlooked is that we don’t look at the most important battleground of our relationship. Our closest relationships are filled with the most frequently assaults to Christian living. Living out Christ's teaching are often on autopilot when we are home.
Dwelling with our good God is an invitation that moves us from performing for approval to resting in God’s presence.
God’s people can trust Him in every season because He faithfully shepherds our steps,
sustains us in our struggles, and shows Himself faithful over time.
Step into the kind of community Jesus designed—one marked by grace, unity, and authentic discipleship. Move beyond isolated faith and embrace a Christ-centered life of loving, supporting, and growing alongside others. Discover what it means to truly belong and follow Jesus together.
Follow Jesus beyond surface-level faith and into a life marked by trust, obedience, and transformation. Discover how God works through ordinary people who are willing to listen, respond, and live with bold faith. Be challenged to take the next step in following Christ with courage and purpose.
Jesus does not just meet us at the end of the road. He walks with us on the way. Your disappointment is not proof that Jesus has left the road. It may be the very place where he plans to reveal himself.
Because the Son of God has come, Easter is not the finish line but the beginning of learning to see Jesus more clearly. He opens our eyes, keeps his people in a dark world, and leads us deeper into truth, obedience, and worship.
Even though we can't meet together for Easter my church will still be meeting online at 10:30 on Easter Sunday.
Something fun that we're doing is an at-home Easter cereal bar - Buy your favorite cereal at the grocery story and post a picture of you or your family eating it in Easter Sunday to your social media. Tag @wilshireave and use the hashtag #EasteratWilshire or email pictures to office@wilshireave.com
Join Pastor Rob as he shares from God's word and we continue to look at the life of Jesus in John 4. Follow along using the S.O.A.P method. - Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
In this sermon we take a look at John 4 and the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
Join Pastor Rob as he shares from God's word and we continue to look at the life of Jesus in John 3. Follow along using the S.O.A.P method. - Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
Jesus comes in and gives that final rest… Sabbath is a reminder for us that God is the creator of it all. That although all of our striving and work is good, we can rest from it, because we find our identity not in the work itself but in Jesus.
The problem isn’t when you have a lot to do, everyone has a lot to do. The problem comes when you have too much to do and the way to keep up the quota is to HURRY. Jesus invites us into live our lives, present with Him.
When it comes to habits, who we are is a much more important starting point than what we do. What we do flows out of our identity.
If God Sent Jesus to be With Us… What does it look like to be With Him?
John 15:1-5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
1) The Call Is to Become Like Jesus 2) We can only bear fruit if we are abiding in Jesus
3 Important Pieces To Abiding: - Connection - Dependence - Continuance
"Onward, Onward"
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:14
Life Group Questions
Opening Question:
How was your Thanksgiving? Share a few things that you are thankful for.
Scripture Reading: Read Philippians 4:2-9
Observation Questions:
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What are some key words that come up in this passage that have come up throughout the book of Philippians? What themes do you see again in these verses?
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We don’t know what the exact disagreement was in verses 2-3, but we can still learn from this passage. What do you notice here that we can learn from?
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Look again at verses 2-9. As followers of Jesus what behaviors are we to put into practice? Discuss creative ways to put these behaviors into practice.
Life Application Questions:
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Think about your relationships with others. Are there any relationships that you need to work towards healing? What would that look like to move toward healing?
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How can you make prayer a bigger priority in your life?
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When facing challenges how do you respond? (Isolation, worry, fear, bitter, angry, apathetic, etc)
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Why do we need to remember our name is written in the book of life? (Homework for another time: Luke 10:1-24). How can we continue to remind ourselves that God is near, God is good and working in our lives?
Prayer: Spend time praying for each other as you also reflect on the following: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• What am I anxious about? • What do I need to ask God? • What do I need to be thankful for? • God help me to experience your peace and trust that you will give it to us.
https://wilshireave.com/messages
Life Group Questions
Opening Question:
What was your favorite sport growing up? What is your favorite sport now? Scripture Reading: Read Philippians 3:12-21
Observation Questions:
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In verse 12 Paul is aware that he hasn’t “fully attained” spiritual maturity or “arrived at [his] goal”. Why is this important for us to know?
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Reread verse 13. What is significant here?
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Reread verse 18? Why is weeping significant?
Life Application Questions:
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Paul defines maturity as realizing he hasn’t “arrived at [his] goal” yet is “straining toward what’s ahead.” There is a tension of striving toward what’s ahead and realizing we aren’t there yet. Before we strive ahead, we must be self aware and realize that we aren’t there yet. a. What areas in your spiritual life would you like to grow? (Honoring God, Serving, Witnessing)
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How has your past weighed you down? Where have you let your past weigh you down or keep you from achieving what God has called you to do?
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Paul says to, “join together” and to “keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” Spend some time as a group sharing and affirming how others in your group have inspired you to follow God. How can this be a regular practice for your group?
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There are people all around us that are “enemies of the cross”. (We were at one time in our disobedience enemies of God (Col. 1:21). Do you weep for enemies of the Cross? Who are 3 people in your life (Live, Work, Play) who you are praying for, that they would come to know Jesus? What are you doing to share Jesus with them? Invite them to Church?
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Where have you seen God work powerfully despite your weaknesses? Spiritual maturity is knowing our limitations, but walking in God’s limitless power.
Prayer:
Spend time praying for God’s transforming power in our lives and spend time praying for each other.
Opening Question:
What does it mean to you to have confidence?
Scripture Reading: Read Philippians 3:1-11
Observation Questions:
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Look closer at verse 2. Who are the dogs? The evil doers? Mutilators of the flesh? How do we watch out for them?
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Look again at verse 8, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things”. Discuss what you think Paul means in these verse.
Application Questions:
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Throughout your life where or in what have you mistakenly put your confidence in?
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Looking at Verse 2, why is it important that we serve God in the Spirit?
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How do we serve God? What does that look like in our daily life?
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How can we substitute “Religion” as our savior instead of accepting Christ?
Prayer:
Be reminded of verses 10 and 11 as you spend time praying together: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead”. Philippians 3:10-11.
Life Group Questions
Opening Question:
Would you consider yourself to be a more positive person or negative person? What would others say about you?
Scripture Reading: Read Philippians 1:27-2:24
Observation Questions:
- What four things should serve as a motivation for unity? (Review)
- The consolation we have in Christ
- The comfort found in love
- The fellowship we have in the Spirit
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The affection and mercy we can enjoy
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What should be the nature of our unity? (V.2)
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What is the “Therefore” in verse 12 connecting to? Why is this important?
Life Application Questions:
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Grumbling hurts the unity of the church. It hurts our relationships. What do you think is at the root of grumbling?
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We can simply take behavioral modification steps and try not to grumble, but like the last series grumbling can be a heart issue. Take a moment to stop and be silent and reflect, and ask why do I grumble? Do I look for things in life that confirm I don’t have what I need? What steps can you take to address your heart this week?
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One of the ways we can show unity to each other is valuing/loving each other? If we are going to do “life” together as a life group why is it important to know how to speak each other’s love languages? How do you feel best loved? How could we love you? (Everyone share).
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Unity does not mean we all have to see eye-to-eye on everything, but is a necessary part of community together. How do we fight for and protect the unity of our life group? As a church?
Prayer: Spend time praying for each other and for unity in your group and in our church.
Life Group Questions
Opening Question:
Where do you find happiness in life?
Scripture Reading: Read Philippians 1:12-26
Observation Questions:
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Looking at v. 12-14, what is Paul’s situation? What do you notice about other people’s reaction to him being in chains?
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Looking at v. 15-18, what is Paul’s focus?
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Looking at v.18-26, what is Paul concerned about? What persuades him to go on?
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Paul writes about the Gospel. What is it?
Life Application Questions:
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Paul proclaims, “What does it matter?” Where have you lost focus or gotten sidetracked in life? Where is your happiness incorrectly chained?
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Have there been situations in your life where you lost hope?
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Sometimes the messages about the Gospel we hear stop at salvation. What is missing? Why is this important in our lives?
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Paul had an intimate relationship with Jesus... “To live is Christ.” What are some ways that you have found helpful to spend time with Jesus and grow in your relationship with him?
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Have you had any circumstances or situations in your life that have seemed like chains but that God has used to set others free?
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Why are we people of hope? How does this affect our everyday lives?
Prayer: Spend time thanking God for all He has done, is doing and will do. Also spend time praying for each other.
Life Group Questions
Opening Question:
- Who is someone in your life that you are thankful for? Why?
Scripture Reading: Read Philippians 1:1-11
Observation Questions:
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Paul is writing this while in prison. How would you describe his perspective? What emotions does he express towards the church in Philippi?
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Look again at verse 6. What do you think Paul means when he says that God will complete the good work he began in them? Is this still true for our lives today?
Life Application Questions:
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Do you struggle at times with being thankful or is it something that comes easy for you? Explain.
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What does it look like for you to reflect back and thank God for the past? Why is this important for us to do?
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How do we thank God for our present situations? What about if we are going through difficult times? How can we still have a thankful heart?
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As we see in these verses, the work that God is doing in us is not done and that he will continue to carry it out in us. What does it look like for us to be thankful for the future and to trust what God may have for us?
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What would it look like for you this week to spend some time thanking God for who He is, for what He is doing and what He will do in your life?
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Is there someone in your life that you can express thankfulness to? What can you do this week to show thankfulness to them?
Prayer: Spend time thanking God for all He has done, is doing, and will do. Also spend time praying for each other.
Life Group Questions Opening Question
If you’re honest with yourself how fearful are you? Rate yourself from 1- 10, with 10 being “I am constantly dealing with fear” to 1 “I am the most care-free person in the world”.
This week we will use the S.O.A.P. method for our discussion:
Scripture: Read Matthew 14:22-36 and Matthew 10:28–31
Observation:
What do you notice in the story What do you think is the main point? Read Matthew 10:28–31. What are some things people fear that can “kill the body but cannot kill the soul”? What is your biggest fear about the future? Application:
What is your biggest fear about the future? Throughout this series we have talked about behaviors or corrective behaviors that we put in place to handle some of the issues that imprison our hearts. What are some of the “behaviors” that you end up resorting to in regards to fear? (These are the behaviors that don’t really address the root of the problem). How have you tried to take control of situation/relationships in your life? What would it look like for God to be in control? We can know in our heads that God cares for us. What does it look like to actually live that out? What is God teaching you? How will this impact your life? What are you going to do about it? Prayer:
As we consider our own fears, how could we ask God for help and healing in our lives? Where would you like to see God work the most in your life?
Life Group Questions Opening Question:
What was something as a kid that someone else had that you wanted?
Digging Deeper:
Read Proverbs 14:30 and Ecclesiastes 4:4-6. What is the main theme of these verses? What does envy do? Why? Where do you find your biggest temptation for you to compare yourself against others (social media, social gatherings, the gym, work, etc.)? Life Application:
How have you seen jealousy take away your joy? Rob talked about comparing up and comparing down. What are some of the dangers that can come from both? This Sunday we looked at two parables, is there anything you learned about yourself as the stories were told? Have you ever gotten off track trying to be someone else or chasing someone else’s goals? Why do we not need to be envious of anyone else? How can we live freely and experience joy because of Jesus’ work on the cross? How would this impact the way you treat others around you? Further Reading and reflection:
Galatians 5:16-26, James 3:16-17
What is said about the dangers of not walking with the Lord in the middle of jealousy?
What is the wisdom from above?
Life Group Questions
Opening Questions:
This week we looked at anger. Where do you find you have the shortest temper? At work? School? At home? Other? Anger isn’t always screaming and yelling. When does anger become destructive? What are other examples of anger? In the sermon we talked about not letting the sun go down on our anger. What can go wrong when we allow this to happen?
Digging Deeper:
Read Ephesians 4:26-27. Take a moment to reflect and draw to mind some anger that you have held on to or stuffed. You don’t have to share it out loud. Is it about a person? A reoccurring situation? How could this grow and become more serious? What would it look like if you don’t address it? How would it affect family, friends or loved ones? Read Psalm 103:8. Take a moment to reflect on the character of God. What comes to mind?
Life Application:
Why is looking at the character of God important? Often our anger isn’t like God’s anger. It’s selfish anger. We often end up hurting the ones we love most. Rob challenged us with the question, “Are you fighting against someone who you are supposed to be fighting for?” What about people we don’t know who are experiencing injustice? How can our anger lead to good?
Life Group Questions
Opening Question:
Share about a time when you got in trouble when you were a child.
Digging Deeper:
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Read Psalm 51:1-7. What do these verses say about who we are? What do they say about the character of God? What do these verses say that God can do?
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Read Psalm 51:10-11. What would a new heart look like in your life? What challenges have you experienced when receiving God’s forgiveness? What about forgiving others?
Life Application:
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Why is it so important for us to look at and deal with our guilt? What do you see as the main difference between guilt and shame?
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How has guilt affected you in the past? Is it s good thing or a bad thing? How has guilt affected your relationship with God?
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How do you preach to yourself when you feel guilt takes over your heart? What are some practical ways we can begin to deal with past guilt and shame?
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Final thought and challenge: We remember that we are fully forgiven at the cross and that there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor or love. At the same time he calls us to ask for forgiveness from others and to right our wrongs. Where do you maybe need to make restitution?
Life Group Questions
Opening Question: What was one of your earliest memories you have about God?
Digging Deeper: 1. Read Matthew 15:8-9. Here Jesus is quoting Isaiah 29:13. What does it mean that people honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him? Have you seen this to be true at times in your life?
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In verse 9, How have you seen “human rules” get in the way of true worship to God?
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Look at Matthew 15:16-20. What are some of the things that these verses challenge us to be aware of?
Life Application:
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Where would you say your heart is at with God right now? Do you feel far from Him? Close to Him? Somewhere in between?
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Often times we can go through life without really addressing what is really going on in our hearts. Why is this so dangerous and what are some of the results that can happen if we don’t address those things in our heart? (refer back to Matthew 15:16-20)
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What does it mean to you to “guard your heart”? What are some steps you could take to better guard your heart?
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Have there been times in your life where you have overemphasized the head and focused on “behavior modification” rather than what is really going on in the heart? How do we begin to examine our hearts this week? How can our group help in this process?